[Mn-at-large] Weekly Update

[David Andrews]

>
>President Ryan Strunk is traveling today and asked that this brief update be
>sent out on his behalf this time. On a side note, While We have the
>opportunity, we also congratulate him on soon starting his new position
>working in accessibility with United Health Group! Not to worry--he is
>staying right here in Minnesota and will be back doing his regularly
>scheduled updates next time.
>
>This year's Washington Seminar was again a tremendous success, and, much
>like our Day at the Capitol, was an excellent kick-off for our 2019
>Legislative activities. Around 14 Minnesotans were in DC this year,
>participating in meetings with the members of Congress, running and working
>in our information collecting office, and attending student events and other
>activities. Because Minnesota has five new Congressional representatives
>this year, in addition to discussing our legislative priorities, our task
>was to begin building relationships with them and educating them about the
>Federation-how we can be a resource for them as well as how they can support
>the efforts of the blind of Minnesota and of the nation.  Although the
>extreme cold weather forced some in our group to cut their trip short due to
>cancelled flights on Wednesday, we covered all ten appointments and received
>positive initial responses to our legislative priorities. As things
>progress, there will be plenty of opportunity for all Federationists to help
>with our legislative work. If you have not done so already, you can read up
>on our legislative priorities here:
>https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.or
>g%2Fprograms-services%2Fadvocacy%2Fwashington-seminar&data=02%7C01%7C%7C
>b9991c1c9bbb4b027d8a08d689e64fe5%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%
>7C636848019602200901&sdata=3AqBMGi3j%2BnH8LBPtRhi15%2FZB6694mSYW%2B3GJcL
>5Kmg%3D&reserved=0
>
>One of the highlights of the Washington Seminar Great Gathering In was when
>Scott LaBarre informed us all that the implementing legislation for the
>United States's participation in the Marrakesh Treaty was signed by the
>President that very day. We've worked long and hard to get to this important
>milestone in our efforts to end the worldwide book famine by allowing for
>the legal distribution of accessible formats of published works across
>international borders.
>
>Things to remember
>. Spread the word about our statewide scholarship for blind students in
>Minnesota; application deadline is April 15:
>https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfbmn.o
>rg%2Fstudents-scholarship%2F2019-01-20&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb9991c1c9bbb4b0
>27d8a08d689e64fe5%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C6368480196022
>00901&sdata=Ct9TqHi0n5VMQKVlC1lgIFUQq9tRuBh%2FYDAAXnflwYY%3D&reserve
>d=0
>. National Scholarship deadline is March 31:
>https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2F
>programs%2Fscholarship-program&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb9991c1c9bbb4b027d8a08d
>689e64fe5%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848019602200901&am
>p;sdata=lqDfZbg8YM6ccVMhnWyLYeGbkE6qXP5ejRntwOraPwk%3D&reserved=0
>. Make your hotel reservations for the 2019 national convention, which will
>take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. To reserve
>your room, which will cost $99 a night plus tax, you can call 877-632-7800.
>Book early to make sure you get a room in the hotel.
>https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.or
>g%2Fget-involved%2Fnational-convention&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb9991c1c9bbb4b0
>27d8a08d689e64fe5%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C6368480196022
>00901&sdata=QblpRRKJUlv4hH8UqPtJNuYj2ASUYw%2FGJhrUW105zic%3D&reserve
>d=0
>
>Dates to Remember
>.       May 18: Semiannual Convention, Minneapolis
>.       July 7-12: NFB National Convention, Las Vegas, NV
>.       Oct. 25-27: NFBMN Annual state Convention, St. Cloud